System and method for obtaining spherical panorama image

ABSTRACT

An image processing method includes obtaining a plurality of images that are captured using a gimbaled imaging device, obtaining one or more imaging parameters of the gimbaled imaging device, and constructing a panorama image using an imaging scheme that is devised based on the one or more imaging parameters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/171,726,filed on Oct. 26, 2018, which is a continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2016/080559, filed on Apr. 28, 2016, the entirecontents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to imaging and moreparticularly, but not exclusively, to a design for automaticallyobtaining a spherical panorama image based on imaging parameters.

BACKGROUND

Spherical panorama, also known as three-hundred-sixty degree sphericalpanorama, refers to a panorama image covers three-hundred-sixty degreesin a horizontal plane as well as at least one-hundred-eighty degree in avertical plane.

Spherical panorama images have gained popularity in recent years.However, currently-available spherical panorama imaging approachesrequire manual control of an imaging device and/or a device, such as agimbal and an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), to be coupled with theimaging device.

In view of the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a system andmethod for automatically capturing images forming a panorama image andstitching the captured images together.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect disclosed herein, there is set forth amethod for supporting imaging, comprising:

collecting at least one imaging parameter; and

devising an imaging scheme for obtaining a panorama image based on theimaging parameter.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, collecting theimaging parameter comprises retrieving at least one imaging parameter ofan imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises constructing the imaging scheme based on afield-of-view (“FOV”) of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises constructing the imaging scheme based on ahorizontal angle of the FOV and/or a vertical angle of the FOV.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, collecting theat least one imaging parameter comprises retrieving at least oneparameter of a gimbal for coupling with the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises constructing the imaging scheme based on amaximum yaw angle of the gimbal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises constructing the imaging scheme based on amaximum pitch angle of the gimbal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, collecting theat least one imaging parameter comprises retrieving at least oneparameter of a mobile platform associated with the imaging device and/orthe gimbal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises constructing the imaging scheme based on amaximum pitch angle of the mobile platform.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises determining a number of images for forming aspherical panorama image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe number of images comprises determining a number of image rows, eachimage row being associated with a preselected pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe number of images comprises determining a number of images in each ofthe image rows, each image being at a predetermined yaw angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe number of images comprises deciding an overlapping area betweenadjacent images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding theoverlapping area comprises determining a number of rows of images forsecuring a vertical overlapping area between two images that areadjacent in a longitude direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe number of rows comprises securing the vertical overlapping area withan overlapping height not less than a predetermined ratio to a height ofany of the two adjacent images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding theoverlapping area comprises deciding a pitch angle for each of the imagerows based on maximum pitch angles in an upward direction and/or adownward direction relative to a horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding thepitch angle comprises selecting an image row at a pitch angle in thehorizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding thepitch angle comprises deciding rows in the upward direction where thepitch angle is above the horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding thepitch angle comprises deciding rows in the downward direction where thepitch angle is below the horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding theoverlapping area comprises deciding the number of images in each imagerow for securing a horizontal overlapping area between two images thatare adjacent in a latitude direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, deciding thenumber of images comprises securing the horizontal overlapping area witha width not less than a predetermined ratio to a width of any of theadjacent images.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprise decidinga yaw angle for each of the images in an image row based on a completehorizontal rotation and the number of images in each image row.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, the mobileplatform is an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) or a handheld device.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further compriseselecting an anchor image for the spherical panorama image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, selecting theanchor image comprises choosing the anchor image to be as either a topimage or a bottom image of the spherical panorama image.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forth acomputer program product comprising instructions for constructing animaging scheme, being configured to perform the constructing process inaccordance with any one of previous embodiments of the disclosedmethods.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forthan apparatus for supporting imaging, comprising:

one or more processors that are individually or collectively configuredto collect at least one imaging parameter; and

devise an imaging scheme for obtaining a panorama image based on theimaging parameter.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one or moreprocessors are configured to retrieve at least one imaging parameter ofan imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to construct the imaging scheme based ona field-of-view (“FOV”) of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to construct the imaging scheme based ona horizontal angle of the FOV and/or a vertical angle of the FOV.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to retrieve at least one parameter of agimbal for coupling with the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to construct the imaging scheme based ona maximum yaw angle of the gimbal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to construct the imaging scheme based ona maximum pitch angle of the gimbal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to retrieve at least one parameter of amobile platform associated with the imaging device and/or the gimbal.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to construct the imaging scheme based ona maximum pitch angle of the mobile platform.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine a number of images forforming a spherical panorama image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine a number of image rows, eachimage row being associated with a preselected pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine a number of images in eachof the image rows, each image being at a predetermined yaw angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to decide an overlapping area betweenadjacent images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine a number of rows of imagesfor securing a vertical overlapping area between two images that areadjacent in a longitude direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to secure the vertical overlapping areawith an overlapping height not less than a predetermined ratio to aheight of any of the two adjacent images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to decide a pitch angle for each of theimage rows based on maximum pitch angles in an upward direction and/or adownward direction relative to a horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to select a first image row at a pitchangle in the horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to decide rows in the upward directionwhere the pitch angle is above the horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to decide rows in the downward directionwhere the pitch angle is below the horizontal direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to decide the number of images in eachimage row for securing a horizontal overlapping area between two imagesthat are adjacent in a latitude direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to secure the horizontal overlapping areawith a width not less than a predetermined ratio to a width of any ofthe adjacent images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to decide a yaw angle for each of theimages in an image row based on a complete horizontal rotation and thenumber of images in each image row.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the mobileplatform is either an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) or a handhelddevice.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to select an anchor image for thespherical panorama image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to choose the anchor image to be aseither a top image or a bottom image of the spherical panorama image.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forthan imaging method, comprising:

acquiring an imaging scheme for capturing images of a panorama image;and

automatically capturing a plurality of images according to the imagingscheme.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises navigating a mobile platform to a desiredimaging location and/or altitude.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises remotely configuring configurableparameters of an imaging device associated with the mobile platform, theconfigurable parameters including an exposure setting and/or an outputformat of the imaging device.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprisetransmitting a spherical panorama imaging command to the imaging deviceand/or to the mobile platform.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises orienting the imaging device to a desiredattitude according to the imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, orienting theimaging device comprises orienting the mobile platform and/or orientinga gimbal to the desired attitude, wherein the gimbal is associated withthe imaging device and/or the mobile platform.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, orienting themobile platform comprises directing the mobile platform to desiredyaw-pitch angles according to the imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, orienting thegimbal comprises orienting the gimbal to desired yaw-pitch anglesaccording to the imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises acquiring real-time attitude informationfor each image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, acquiring thereal-time attitude information comprises acquiring the real-timeattitude information as each image is captured.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, acquiring thereal-time attitude information comprises acquiring the real-timeattitude information via an inertial measurement unit.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, acquiring thereal-time attitude information comprises acquiring the real-timeattitude information via a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a globalpositioning system (“GPS”) and/or a magnetometer.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises storing the images and the real-timeattitude information to a storage device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, storing theimages and the real-time attitude information comprises storing theimages and the real-time attitude information to a secure digital (“SD”)card.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises sending the images and the attitudeinformation to a ground station.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, sending theimages and the attitude information to the ground station comprisessending the images and the attitude information to the ground station asthe images are captured or stored.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises orienting the imaging device to anotherdesired attitude position according to the imaging scheme and capturinga next image at the other desired attitude position until each imagesdefined in the imaging scheme are captured.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

pointing the imaging device at a preselected pitch angle that isperpendicular to the horizontal direction; and

capturing the anchor image according to the imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

pointing the imaging device at a preselected pitch angle in thehorizontal direction; and

capturing an image according to the imaging scheme at a preselected yawangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

successively pointing the imaging device to each of the rest yaw anglesof the first pitch angle; and

capturing respective images at each of the rest yaw angles according tothe imaging scheme to acquire the number of images at the first pitchangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

pointing the imaging device to a successively selected upward pitchangle; and

capturing an image according to the imaging scheme at a preselected yawangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

pointing the imaging device to rest yaw angles at the selected upwardpitch angle; and

capturing respective images at each of the rest yaw angles according tothe imaging scheme to acquire the number of images at the selectedupward pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, the number ofimages for the selected upward pitch angle comprises additional imagesto the number of images for the first pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

pointing the imaging device at a successively selected downward pitchangle; and

capturing an image according to the imaging scheme at a preselected yawangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises:

orienting the imaging device to rest yaw angles at the selected downwardpitch angle; and

capturing respective images at each of the rest yaw angles according tothe imaging scheme to acquire the number of images at the selecteddownward pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, the number ofimages for the selected downward pitch angle comprises additional imagesto the number of images for the first pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, sending theimages comprises lowering resolution of each of the images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, lowering theresolution comprises reducing resolution in a horizontal directionand/or reducing resolution in a vertical direction of the image.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forth acomputer program product comprising instructions for capturing imagesaccording to an imaging scheme, being configured to perform the imagingprocess in accordance with any one of previous embodiments of thedisclosed methods.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forthan imaging system, comprising:

one or more processors that are individually or collectively configuredto:

acquire an imaging scheme for capturing images of a panorama image; and

direct an imaging device to capture a plurality of images according tothe imaging scheme.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems further comprise a mobileplatform that is associated with the imaging device.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one or moreprocessors are configured to navigate the mobile platform to a desiredimaging location and/or altitude.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems further comprise acontroller operates to remotely configure configurable parameters of theimaging device, the configurable parameters including an exposuresetting and/or an output format or the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the controlleris configured to transmit a spherical panorama imaging command to theimaging device and/or to the mobile platform.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to orient the imaging device to a desiredattitude according to the imaging scheme.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems further comprise a gimbalbeing associated with the imaging device and/or the mobile platform,wherein the gimbal operates to orient the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to orient the mobile platform and/ororienting the gimbal to the desired attitude.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the desiredattitude comprises desired yaw-pitch angles of the mobile platformaccording to the imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the desiredattitude comprises desired yaw-pitch angles of the gimbal according tothe imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to acquire real-time attitude informationfor each image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to acquire the real-time attitudeinformation as each image is captured.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the real-timeattitude information is acquired via an inertial measurement unit.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the real-timeattitude information is acquired via a gyroscope, an accelerometer, aglobal positioning system (“GPS”) and/or a magnetometer.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems further comprise astorage device configured to store the images and the real-time attitudeinformation.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the storagedevice is a secure digital (“SD”) card.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to send the images and the attitudeinformation to a ground station.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to send the images and the attitudeinformation to the ground station as the images are captured or stored.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to orient the imaging device to anotherdesired attitude position according to the imaging scheme and capturinga next image at the other desired attitude position until each imagesdefined in the imaging scheme are captured.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

point the imaging device at a preselected pitch angle that isperpendicular to the horizontal direction; and

capture the anchor image according to the imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

point the imaging device at a preselected pitch angle in the horizontaldirection; and

capture an image according to the imaging scheme at a preselected yawangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

successively point the imaging device to each of the rest yaw angles ofthe first pitch angle; and

capture respective images at each of the rest yaw angles according tothe imaging scheme to acquire the number of images at the first pitchangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

point the imaging device to a successively selected upward pitch angle;and

capture an image according to the imaging scheme at a preselected yawangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

point the imaging device to rest yaw angles at the selected upward pitchangle; and

capture respective images at each of the rest yaw angles according tothe imaging scheme to acquire the number of images at the selectedupward pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the number ofimages for the selected upward pitch angle comprises additional imagesto the number of images for the first pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

point the imaging device at a successively selected downward pitchangle; and

capture an image according to the imaging scheme at a preselected yawangle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

orient the imaging device to rest yaw angles at the selected downwardpitch angle; and

capture respective images at each of the rest yaw angles according tothe imaging scheme to acquire the number of images at the selecteddownward pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the number ofimages for the selected downward pitch angle comprises additional imagesto the number of images for the first pitch angle.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to lower a resolution of the images.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to lower resolution in a horizontaldirection and/or lowering resolution in a vertical direction of theimage.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forth amethod for compositing a panorama image, comprising:

receiving an image and attitude information that is used by an imagingdevice to capture the image; and

stitching the received image to a compositing image based on theattitude information.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, receiving the imagecomprises receiving the image of a scene,

wherein the compositing image is a panorama image of the scene beingbuilt on a compositing surface.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitching thereceived image comprises converting the received image to anequirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, converting thereceived image comprises determining that the received image is capturedwith a rectilinear lens.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, converting thereceived image comprises transforming the received image from arectilinear projection to the equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, transformingthe received image comprises:

transforming the rectilinear projection to a spherical projection; and

transforming the spherical projection to the equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, the sphericalprojection is based on a spherical radius equal to a focal length of alens of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, converting thereceived image comprises determining that the received image is capturedwith a fisheye lens.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, converting thereceived image comprises transforming the received image from a fisheyeprojection to the equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, transformingthe received image comprises:

transforming the fisheye projection to a spherical projection; and

transforming the spherical projection to the equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, the sphericalprojection is based on a spherical radius equal to a focal length of alens of the imaging device.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further compriseinitiating the compositing image with an anchor image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, initiating thecompositing image comprises positioning the anchor image withcorresponding attitude information for the anchor image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitching thereceived image comprises stitching the received image to the compositingimage that begins with the anchor image to incrementally construct thepanorama image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitching thereceived image comprises aligning the received image relative to thecompositing image based on the attitude information.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitching thereceived image comprises micro-tuning the received image relative to thecompositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, micro-tuningthe received image comprises micro-tuning at least one overlapping areabetween the received image and the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, micro-tuningthe overlapping area comprises forming the overlapping area between thereceived image and the compositing image by matching a portion of thereceived image and a portion of the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, micro-tuningthe overlapping area comprises determining searching scopes in a yawdirection, a pitch direction and/or a roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe searching scopes comprises deciding a searching step length.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe searching scopes comprises deciding numbers of searching steps foreach of the yaw direction, the pitch direction and the roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe number of steps comprises determining the number of steps based on acontrol error, a delay error and/or a vibration amplitude in a pitchdeviation, a yaw deviation and a roll deviation respectively.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, micro-tuningcomprises determining a matching cost for each combination of thesearching step and the number of steps in each of the pitch direction,the yaw direction and the roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, determiningthe matching cost comprises calculating the matching cost via a sum ofabsolute differences (“SAD”) measure or a normalized cross-correlation(“NCC”) measure.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, micro-tuningcomprises ascertaining an optimal combination of yaw-pitch-roll angles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitching thereceived image comprises fusing the received image to the compositingimage based on the optimal combination of yaw-pitch-roll angles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, fusing thereceived image comprising fusing the received image to the compositingimage via a blending algorithm.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitching thereceived image comprises conducting a global optimization toward atleast a portion of the overlapping areas of the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, the receivedimage is captured according to a spherical panorama imaging scheme.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, at least aportion of the compositing image is constructed via a blendingalgorithm.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprise blendingalgorithm is a Laplacian Pyramid Blending algorithm.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprise loweringa resolution of the received image and/or lowering a resolution of thepanorama.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, lowering theresolution of the received image comprises reducing resolution in ahorizontal direction and/or lowering resolution in a vertical directionof the received image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, lowering theresolution of the spherical panorama image comprises reducing resolutionin a horizontal direction and/or lowering resolution in a verticaldirection of the compositing image.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forth acomputer program product comprising instructions for constructing apanorama image, being configured to perform the constructing process inaccordance with any one of previous embodiments of the disclosedmethods.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forth asystem for constructing a panorama image, comprising:

a receiving unit that operates to:

receive an image and attitude information that is used by an imagingdevice to capture the image; and

a processing unit that operates to:

convert the received image to an equirectangular projection,

align the received image relative to a compositing image based on theattitude information,

micro-tune the received image relative to the compositing image toacquire at least one overlapping area between the received image and thecompositing image, and

stitch the received image to the compositing image,

wherein the compositing image is a panorama image being built on acompositing surface.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forthan apparatus for constructing a panorama image, comprising:

one or more processors that are individually or collectively configuredto:

receive an image and attitude information that is used by an imagingdevice to capture the image; and

stitch the received image to a compositing image based on the attitudeinformation.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses,

the received image is the image of a scene, and

the compositing image is a panorama image of the scene being built on acompositing surface.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to convert the received image to anequirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine that the received image iscaptured with a rectilinear lens.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to transform the received image from arectilinear projection to the equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to transform the rectilinear projectionto a spherical projection, and to transform the spherical projection tothe equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, thespherical projection is based on a spherical radius equal to a focallength of a lens of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine that the received image iscaptured with a fisheye lens.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to transform the received image from afisheye projection to the equirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to transform the fisheye projection to aspherical projection and to transform the spherical projection to theequirectangular projection.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, thespherical projection is based on a spherical radius equal to a focallength of a lens of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to initiate the compositing image with ananchor image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the anchorimage is positioned at the compositing image with corresponding attitudeinformation for the anchor image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to stitch the received image to thecompositing image that begins with the anchor image to incrementallyconstruct the panorama image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to align the received image relative tothe compositing image based on the attitude information.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to micro-tune the received image relativeto the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to micro-tune at least one overlappingarea between the received image and the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to acquire the overlapping area betweenthe received image and the compositing image by matching a portion ofthe received image and a portion of the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine searching scopes in a yawdirection, a pitch direction and/or a roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, thesearching scopes comprises a searching step length in the yaw direction,the pitch direction and/or the roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, thesearching scopes comprises numbers of searching steps for each of theyaw direction, the pitch direction and the roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine the numbers of steps basedon a control error, a delay error and/or a vibration amplitude in apitch deviation, a yaw deviation and a roll deviation respectively.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to determine a matching cost for eachcombination of the searching step and the number of steps in each of thepitch direction, the yaw direction and the roll direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, thematching cost are calculated via a sum of absolute differences (“SAD”)measure or a normalized cross-correlation (“NCC”) measure.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to ascertain an optimal combination ofyaw-pitch-roll angles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to fuse the received image to thecompositing image based on the optimal combination of yaw-pitch-rollangles.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to fuse the received image to thecompositing image via a blending algorithm.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to conduct a global optimization towardat least a portion of the overlapping areas of the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, theapparatus is arranged on a mobile platform or in a ground station.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, thereceived image is captured according to a spherical panorama imagingscheme

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to blend the compositing image to form aspherical panorama image based on at least a portion of the compositingimage via a blending algorithm.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, theblending algorithm is a Laplacian Pyramid Blending algorithm.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to lower a resolution of the receivedimage and/or a resolution of the compositing image.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to reduce resolution in a horizontaldirection and/or resolution in a vertical direction of the receivedimage.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatuses, the one ormore processors are configured to reduce resolution in a horizontaldirection and/or resolution in a vertical direction of the compositingimage.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forthan imaging method, comprising:

devising an imaging scheme for obtaining a spherical panorama imagebased on at least one imaging parameter; and

automatically capturing a plurality of images according to the imagingscheme.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, devising theimaging scheme comprises constructing the imaging scheme based at leastone parameter of an imaging device, a gimbal for coupling with theimaging device or a mobile platform associated with the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises configuring at least one configurableparameters of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, capturing theplurality of images comprises orienting the imaging device to a desiredattitude according to the imaging scheme; and acquiring the real-timeattitude information as each image is captured.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprise sendingthe each image and the real-time attitude information to a groundstation when the image is captured.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprisereceiving the images and the real-time attitude information at theground station.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprisestitching the image to a panorama image based on the attitudeinformation.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitchingcomprises stitching the images incrementally when the image is capturedor received.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, stitchingcomprises aligning the image relative to the panorama image based on theattitude information; and micro-tuning the image relative to thepanorama image based on a pitch deviation, a yaw deviation and/or a rolldeviation.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods, sending theimages comprises lowering resolution of the image.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods further comprisereconfiguring at least one of the configurable parameters of the imagingdevice; and recapturing the image and the real-time attitudeinformation.

In accordance with another aspect disclosed herein, there is set forthan imaging system, comprising:

one or more processors that are individually or collectively configuredto:

devise an imaging scheme for obtaining a spherical panorama image basedon at least one imaging parameter; and

direct an imaging device to capture a plurality of images according tothe imaging scheme.

In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one or moreprocessors are configured to construct the imaging scheme based at leastone parameter of an imaging device, a gimbal for coupling with theimaging device or a mobile platform associated with the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to receive a command for configuring atleast one configurable parameters of the imaging device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to:

orient the imaging device to a desired attitude according to the imagingscheme, and

acquire the real-time attitude information as each image is captured.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to send the image and the real-timeattitude information to a ground station when the image is captured.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems further comprise a groundstation configured to receive the images and the real-time attitudeinformation.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the groundstation is configured to stitch the image to a panorama image based onthe attitude information.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the groundstation is configured to stitch the images incrementally when the imagereceived.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the groundstation is configured to align the image relative to the panorama imagebased on the attitude information, and micro-tune the image relative tothe panorama image based on a pitch deviation, a yaw deviation and/or aroll deviation.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to lower resolution of the image beforethe image is sent.

In another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed systems, the one ormore processors are configured to receive a command for reconfiguring atleast one of the configurable parameters of the imaging device, andrecapturing an image and the real-time attitude information.

The exemplary embodiments under this disclosure can advantageouslydevise an imaging scheme automatically based on certain imagingparameters. Additionally, the exemplary embodiments under thisdisclosure can advantageously capture, according to the imaging scheme,a plurality of images and acquire corresponding attitude information forforming a panorama image. The exemplary embodiments under thisdisclosure can also stitch the plurality images incrementally based onthe acquired corresponding attitude information. The exemplaryembodiments, thereby, can automatically perform a complete process forobtaining the panorama image, including, but not limited to, devisingthe imaging scheme, capturing the images and stitching the images toform the panorama image. Alternatively and/or additionally, theexemplary embodiments can also include a preview function, which allowsan operator to reconfigure certain configurable parameters of theimaging device or to reconstruct the imaging scheme based on thepreview.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary top-level flow-chart illustrating an embodimentof a method for devising an imaging scheme for obtaining a panoramaimage based on imaging parameters.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 1, wherein the imaging parametersinclude parameters of an imaging device and parameters of a gimbaland/or a mobile platform.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow-chart illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 1, wherein overlapping areas betweenadjacent images are decided while determining a number of images to formthe panorama image.

FIG. 4 is another exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 1, wherein the imagingscheme is devised by determining a number of images rows and a number ofimages in each image row.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating an embodiment ofthe method of FIG. 4, wherein the number of images in each image row isdetermined at pitch horizontal, pitch upward and pitch downward.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an imagingdevice implementing the method of FIG. 1, wherein the imaging schemecouples with a lens with a field of view (“FOV”).

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe method of FIG. 6, wherein the imaging device is shown as being ableto make a full rotation in a horizontal direction at a pitch zerodegrees.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 6, wherein the imaging device is shownas having a maximum allowable pitch angle.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary image showing the image in a rectilinearprojection, wherein the image is captured at an upward pitch angle.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary image showing the image of FIG. 9 in anequirectangular projection.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary image showing the image in a rectilinearprojection, wherein the image is captured at a pitch horizontaldirection.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary image showing the image of FIG. 11 in anequirectangular projection.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary image showing the image in a rectilinearprojection, wherein the image is captured at a downward pitch angle.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary image showing the image of FIG. 13 in anequirectangular projection.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative image showing another alternative embodimentof the method of FIG. 6, wherein three images are overlapped to form apanorama image in the equirectangular projection.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe method of FIG. 6, wherein the range of angle coverage by an imagecaptured by the imaging device is illustrated in a global view.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 6, wherein a space imaging plane of theimaging device is shown as the imaging device being at an upward pitchangle.

FIG. 18 is another schematic diagram illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 6, wherein two projected angles aredetermined via deduction.

FIG. 19 is another schematic diagram illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 6, wherein a point with sphericalcoordinates is converted to a three-dimensional coordinate.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment ofan imaging device implementing the method of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6, whereinthe imaging device is positioned on a mobile platform via a gimbal.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary top-level flow-chart illustrating an embodimentof method for capturing images of a panorama image, wherein an imagingscheme for capturing the images of a panorama image is acquired andautomatically executed.

FIG. 22 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 21, wherein the imaging parametersinclude parameters of an imaging device and parameters of a gimbaland/or a mobile platform.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary detail flow-chart diagram illustrating analternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 21, wherein a mobileplatform is navigated and the images are captured automaticallyaccording to the imaging scheme.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary detail flow-chart diagram illustrating analternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 21, wherein the automaticimage capturing process according to the imaging scheme.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary top-level flow-chart illustrating an embodimentof method for stitching images to form a panorama image, wherein animage and corresponding attitude information are received and stitchedto a compositing image.

FIG. 26 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 25, wherein the received image can bestitched to the compositing image by converting, aligning, micro-tuningand fusing the received image.

FIG. 27 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 25, wherein the receivedimage is converted to an equirectangular projection via twotransformations.

FIG. 28 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 25, wherein the receivedimage is aligned relative to the compositing image based on the attitudeinformation.

FIG. 29 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 25, wherein the receivedimage can be micro-tuned by determining searching scopes, matchingoverlapping area, matching costs and ascertaining an optimalcombination.

FIG. 30 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 29, wherein searching scopes aredetermined based on deviations respectively.

FIG. 31 is an exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the method of FIG. 30, wherein the searching scopes aredifferent.

FIG. 32 is a detail exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating analternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 25, wherein an anchor imageis initialized and other images are stitched to form a panorama image.

FIG. 33 is an exemplary top-level flow-chart illustrating an embodimentof a method for obtaining a panorama image, wherein a plurality ofimages can be captured according to an imaging scheme that is devisedfor obtaining the panorama image.

FIG. 34 is a detail exemplary flow-chart diagram illustrating analternative embodiment of the method of FIG. 33, wherein captured imagesare sent and stitched for reconfiguring at least one of the configurableparameters.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and thatelements of similar structures or functions are generally represented bylike reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout thefigures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended tofacilitate the description of the embodiments. The figures do notillustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limitthe scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In currently-available approaches, an operator manually controls agimbal and/or a UAV to orient an imaging device to various directions inorder to capture images for constructing the panorama image. The imagescaptured can be stitched via a software tool by matching feature pointson each images and/or by estimating the imaging device's attitudeinformation.

Several disadvantages exist in currently-available spherical panoramaimaging approaches. First, manual control of imaging in variousorientations can result in big margins of deviations, causinguncontrollable overlapping areas between adjacent images. The bigdeviation margins can be problematic because stable overlapping areas iscrucial to ensure that images can be stitched together properly. Second,matching feature points with the software tool can often result inestimation failure of the attitude information, making manualintervention necessary for correction. Third, the currently-availablespherical panorama imaging approaches often need a bundle adjustmentusing global optimization to estimate the attitude information of theimaging device. Therefore, the approaches can result in largecalculation volume and memory requirements.

Since currently-available spherical panorama generating approachesrequire manual operations in imaging and stitching processes and needglobal optimization, a system and method for automatically capturingimages for obtaining a panorama image and automatically stitching theimages to form the panorama image can prove desirable and provide abasis for automatically constructing a panorama image. This result canbe achieved, according to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method 100 for devisingan imaging scheme. Turning to FIG. 1, the imaging scheme for obtaining apanorama image is shown as being devised based on imaging parameters. InFIG. 1, at least one imaging parameter, e.g., a plurality of imagingparameters, can be collected, at 120. The imaging parameters caninclude, for example, parameters of an imaging device 580, parameters ofa gimbal 560 coupled with the imaging device 580 and/or a mobileplatform 500 coupled with the imaging device 580 and/or the gimbal 560(collectively shown in FIG. 20).

The imaging parameters can be collected via any applicable manner, suchas, via manual inputs and/or automatic detection. In some embodiments,for example, the parameters of the imaging device 580 can be acquired bydetecting a type of lens coupled with the imaging device 580. In otherembodiments, the parameters of the gimbal 560 and/or the parameters ofthe imaging device 580 can be acquired by user inputs. The panoramaimage can be a spherical panorama image, particularly athree-hundred-sixty degree spherical panorama image. The sphericalpanorama image, for example, can cover three-hundred-sixty degrees in ahorizontal plane as well as at least one-hundred-eighty degrees in avertical plane with no blind spot.

At 150, the imaging scheme for obtaining the panorama image can bedetermined based on the collected imaging parameters. The imaging schemecan include a number of images to form the panorama image and attitudefor capturing each image. The attitude can include, for example, a pitchangle and/or a yaw angle. The imaging scheme can be implemented in orderto automatically and/or manually acquire the images for forming thepanorama image.

Although shown and described as using the imaging parameters forpurposes of illustration only, the imaging scheme can be devised basedon additional suitable parameters, such as features of a scene, ambientconditions and the like.

The imaging scheme can be advantageously devised in an automatic manner,partially or in its entirety. The imaging scheme can implement panoramaimaging and panorama image stitching with an automatic process, in aseparate or combined manner. Implementation of the imaging scheme canadvantageously avoid manual interventions and, thereby, can addressissues caused by the manual interventions as described in thebackground.

Although shown and described as being an automatic process for purposesof illustration only, the process, for example the imaging process, caninvolve manual intervention, such as configuring configurable parametersof the imaging device 580.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method100. Turning to FIG. 2, the imaging parameters can include parameters ofan imaging device 580, at 122. The imaging parameters can furtherinclude parameters of a gimbal 560 that is couple with the imagingdevice 580 and/or a mobile platform 500 that is coupled with the imagingdevice 580 and/or the gimbal 560.

In FIG. 2, the parameters of the imaging device 580 can compriseparameters of a lens 589 (shown in FIG. 6) attached to the imagingdevice 580. In some embodiments, the lens 589 can be a prime lens (or afixed focal lens). The parameters 122 of the imaging device 580 caninclude angles of a field of view (“FOV”) of the lens 560. The FOV cancomprise at least a vertical angle of the FOV, at 132, and/or ahorizontal angle of FOV, at 134. In some embodiments, the two angles132, 134 can be acquired automatically based on a type of the lens andcorresponding parameters. In other embodiments, the angles 132, 134 canbe acquired by user inputs.

Although shown and described as being the prime lens for purposes ofillustration only, the lens can comprise any other types of lens, suchas a zoom lens. In some embodiments, when the zoom lens is used, theimaging parameters of the imaging device 580 can comprise a parameterreflecting a zoom length of the lens 589. The zoom length can bechangeable and can affect FOV of the lens 589. Therefore, in case of thezoom lens, the FOV angles 132, 134 can be acquired based on a set ofparameters, including, but not limited to, a maximum horizontal FOVangle, a minimum horizontal FOV angle, a maximum vertical FOV angle, aminimum horizontal FOV angle, a zoom range, a zoom length and the like.

The parameters 126 of the gimbal 560 and/or the mobile platform 500, forexample, can comprise parameters regarding a pitch angle 135 and/or ayaw angle 137. Optionally, the parameters 126 can include a roll angle139. In some embodiments, the gimbal 560 can enable the imaging device580 to make a partial and/or complete horizontal rotation. The pitchangle 135 can be divided into an upward pitch angle and/or a downwardpitch angle, being separated by a pitch horizontal direction. In someembodiments, the gimbal 560 can be restricted by a maximum pitch anglein at least one direction, e.g., the upward pitch angle. There can be aplurality of reasons for such limitation, such as mechanical restrictionof the gimbal 560 and/or avoiding a fuselage of the mobile platform 500etc.

In other embodiments, for example, when the gimbal 560 is not provided,the mobile platform 500 can be used to provide the pitch angle 135and/or the yaw angle 137. In such embodiments, the imaging device 580can have no limitation horizontally, i.e., the mobile platform 500 canenable the imaging device 580 to make a full horizontal rotation.However, as the gimbal 560, the mobile platform 500 can have limitationsproviding the pitch angle 135 in at least one direction, i.e., there canbe a minimum pitch angle and/or a maximum pitch angle in either upwardor downward direction. Reasons for such limitations can include, but isnot limited to, mechanical restrictions of the mobile platform 500.

Although shown and described as providing the pitch angle 135 and/or theyaw angle 137 by either the gimbal 560 or the mobile platform 500 forpurposes of illustration only, an operational combination of the gimbal560 and the mobile platform 500 can also be applied to provide wider orotherwise different ranges of the pitch angle 135. Although shown anddescribed as acquiring the pitch angle 135 and the yaw 137 for purposesof illustration only, other parameters 126 can be acquired in devisingthe imaging scheme, such as an optional parameter 139 regarding a rollangle 139, features of a scene, ambient conditions and the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplarymethod 100. Turning to FIG. 3, the imaging scheme is devised by decidingoverlapping areas in a horizontal direction and/or a vertical directionand determining a number of images to form the panorama image. As shownin FIG. 3, the devising the imaging scheme for obtaining the panoramaimage, at 150, can comprise deciding the overlapping areas in thehorizontal direction and/or the vertical direction, at 151.

As described in the background section, sufficient overlapping area canbe necessary for stitching images together to form the panorama image.The imaging scheme can be devised to maintain enough overlapping area,at 151, between any two images that are adjacent, in the horizontaldirection and/or in the vertical direction. For purposes of deciding theoverlapping areas between the images, in some embodiments, a sufficientnumber of images can be acquired in the horizontal direction and/or thevertical direction.

The overlapping area between two vertically adjacent images can besecured in such an approach that a height of the overlapping area is notless than a predetermined ratio to a height of any of the two adjacentimages. The overlapping area between two horizontally adjacent imagescan be secured in such an approach that a width of the overlapping areais not less than a predetermined ratio to a width of any of the adjacentimages. The predetermined ratio being used for the two verticallyadjacent images and/or the two horizontally adjacent image can be in arange of ten percent to forty percent, such as a range of twenty percentto thirty percent or a value of twenty-five percent.

Although shown and described as using the height of the two verticallyadjacent images for determining the overlapping area for purposes ofillustration only, other characteristics of the images can also be used,such as the area of any of the vertically adjacent images. Althoughshown and described as using the width of the two horizontally adjacentimages for determining the overlapping area between the two images forpurposes of illustration only, other characteristics of the images canalso be used, such as the area of any of the horizontally adjacentimages.

As shown in FIG. 3, the devising the imaging scheme, at 150, cancomprise determining the number of images to form the panorama image, at153. Basically, there can be two concepts for devising the imagingscheme: one is to decide enough overlapping areas between adjacentimages, and the other one is to keep the number of images as low aspossible for reducing stitching costs. Therefore, at 153, the number canbe determined as the lowest number of images to maintain a minimumpredetermined overlapping area between adjacent images.

Although shown and described as deciding the predetermined overlappingarea between adjacent images for purposes of illustration only, theoverlapping area can be decreased and/or increased based on certainfactors, including, but not limited to, territorial features and/orpitch angle parameter etc. In practice, the theoretically-determinednumber of images can be increased and/or decreased for providing certainmargins.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method100. Turning to FIG. 4, the imaging scheme of FIG. 1 is devised bydetermining a number of image rows and a number of images in each imagerow. The number of images can be the same and/or different betweenselected image rows. As shown in FIG. 4, the number of image rows can bedetermined, at 152. Each image row can associate with a correspondingpitch angle. In some embodiments, an image row at a pitch horizontaldirection can be determined as a first row. Rows with pitch anglesgreater than the pitch horizontal direction can be determined based onthe first row to cover at least partially areas above the first row.Additional detail regarding determining the number of image rows will beprovided below with reference to FIGS. 16, 17. Rows with pitch anglesless than the pitch horizontal direction can be determined based on thefirst row to cover, at least partially, areas below the first row.

Although shown and described as determining rows below the first rowafter the rows above the first row for purposes of illustration only,the image rows below the first row and the image rows above the firstrow can be determined in any order with no restriction. Although shownand described as covering the areas below the first row with enoughimage rows below the first row for purposes of illustration only, ananchor image can be provided to cover either a bottom portion or a topportion of the panorama image.

The number of images in each image row can be determined, at 155. Insome embodiments, the number of images for each image row can bedetermined once an image row is determined. In some other embodiments,the number of images for each image row can be determined when the imagerows are determined. In some embodiments, the imaging scheme can befinalized with a global optimization after at least partial image rowsand the number of images are determined.

Although shown and described as each image row being in the horizontaldirection for purposes of illustration only, the image rows can also beplace in vertical directions. In such case, each image row cancorrespond a yaw angle and each image in any of the image row cancorrespond a pitch angle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method100. Turning to FIG. 5, the number of images in each image row isdetermined at pitch horizontal, pitch upward and pitch downward. Asshown in FIG. 5, when a number of image rows is determined, at 152, thenumber of images in each image row can be determined, at 155.

The number of images in each image row can be determined in any order ofthe image rows. In some embodiments, the number of images in a first row(or a first pitch position) at a pitch horizontal direction can bedetermined first, at 161, based on the parameters of an imaging device580. The number of images in the first row can guaranty thepredetermined overlapping area defined with reference to FIG. 3 betweenadjacent images in the first row. Because there can be horizontallyadjacent images for the first row, horizontal overlapping areas can bedecided. When the number of images in the first row is determined, theimages can be evenly distributed along the pitch horizontal direction,and each image can be assigned with a corresponding yaw angle.

At 163, the number of images in each image row above the first row canbe decided. At 165, the number of images in each image row below thefirst row can be decided. Additional detail regarding determining thenumber of the images in each image row will be shown and described belowwith reference to FIGS. 16, 17. In some embodiments, for each image inany image row above or below the first row, overlapping areas betweenhorizontally adjacent images need to be decided in manner shown anddescribed with reference to FIG. 3. When the number of images in anyselected image row above or below the first row is determined, theimages can be evenly distributed along a latitude circle of the selectedimage row, and each image can be assigned with a corresponding yawangle.

Although shown and described as deciding overlapping areas betweenhorizontally adjacent images for purposes of illustration only, in someembodiments, overlapping areas between vertically adjacent images can bedecided.

As shown and described with reference to FIG. 2, the imaging scheme canbe constructed based on the imaging parameters. Such imaging parameterscan include, but are not limited to, parameters of the imaging device580 and parameters of the a gimbal 560 that is couple with the imagingdevice 580 and/or a mobile platform 500 that is couple with the imagingdevice 580 and/or the gimbal 560. The parameters of the imaging device580 can include an FOV of a lens coupled with the imaging device 580.FIGS. 6-19 illustrate embodiments of an exemplary method 200 that themethod of FIG. 1 implements.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the exemplary method 200. Turning to FIG.6, the imaging device 580 couples with a lens 589 that has an FOV. InFIG. 6, the FOV of the lens 589 can have a horizontal FOV θ_(hor) 181and a vertical FOV θ_(ver) 182. Images captured via the lens 589 canhave any predetermined shape, such as a rectangular shape. Therectangular shaped image can be converted to equirectangular projectionfor stitching together to form a panorama image. The equirectangularprojection can be distorted in an exemplary shape as shown and describedherein.

The horizontal FOV 181 and the vertical FOV 182 of the lens 589 arereferred as the imaging device 580 being oriented in a horizontaldirection. When the imaging device 580 is oriented in other directions,the horizontal FOV 181 can be not in the horizontal direction and/or thevertical FOV 182 can be not in the vertical direction.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method 100.Turning to FIG. 7, the imaging device 580 can make the full rotation191, in a horizontal direction, about a vertical axis 193, i.e., when apitch angle is at zero degrees. The imaging device 580 can rotate aboutthe axis 193 at other pitch angles.

The rotation about the vertical axis 193 can be accomplished with acarrier such as a gimbal 560 and/or a mobile platform 500. In someembodiments, the gimbal 560 can be coupled with the imaging device 580to provide the imaging device 580 controllable orientation capacities.In such embodiments, the gimbal 560 alone can orient the imaging device580 to any yaw angle about the axis 191 at any pitch angle. In otherwords, the gimbal 560 can orient the imaging device 580 to a desiredattitude, including a desired pitch angle and/or a desired yaw angle.

Although shown and described as using the gimbal 560 for purposes ofillustration only, the mobile platform 500 can also be used,individually or combined with the gimbal 560, to provide the horizontalrotation about the axis 193.

Although shown and described as being rotated about the vertical axis193 for purposes of illustration only, the imaging device 580 can rotateabout any yaw axis (not shown) that can be either a vertical axis or anon-vertical axis. In some embodiments, the yard axis can beperpendicular relative to the mobile platform 500, but not perpendicularto the ground because the mobile platform 580 itself can be not leveled.In such cases, the zero degrees of the pitch angle can refer to a planethat is perpendicular to the yaw axis. The imaging device 580 can rotateabout the yaw axis at selected pitch angles. Each of the selected pitchangles can be relative to the plane.

For purposes of ensuring the predetermined horizontal overlapping area,a number M₀ of images in a full rotation at pitch zero degrees can becalculated based the horizontal FOV θ_(hor) 181 (shown in FIG. 6):

$\begin{matrix}{M_{0} = \left\lceil \frac{360}{\left( {1 - \sigma} \right)\theta_{hor}} \right\rceil} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (1)}\end{matrix}$

Wherein, σ represents a ratio of an overlapping area to any of twohorizontally adjacent images. σ can be, for example, one-fourth of awidth of any one of the two horizontally adjacent images, or one-fourthof an area any one of the two horizontally adjacent images. In someembodiments, σ can be either decreased or increased to adjust thepredetermined horizontal overlapping area. For example, σ can be a valuewithin a range between one-eighth and one-half. When σ is one-fourth,Equation (1) can be:

$\begin{matrix}{M_{0} = \left\lceil \frac{360}{\frac{3}{4}\theta_{hor}} \right\rceil} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (2)}\end{matrix}$

A number of images for an image row at a pitch angle greater than zerodegrees, i.e., pitch upwardly above the horizontal direction, can becalculate as:

M _(1i)(i∈(0,N ₁))  Equation (3)

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the imaging setting forthe exemplary method 100.

In some embodiments, the imaging device 580 can pitch ninety degree inan upward direction and/or pitch ninety degree in a downward directions.In such cases, for either the upward pitch direction or the downwardpitch direction, a number N of image rows can be calculated based thevertical FOV θ_(ver) 182 (shown in FIG. 6):

$\begin{matrix}{N = \left\lceil \frac{90}{\frac{3}{4}\theta_{ver}} \right\rceil} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (4)}\end{matrix}$

However, the pitch angle of the imaging device 580 can be restricted inat least one direction. Turning to FIG. 8, the imaging device 580 has amaximum allowable pitch angle 195. In FIG. 8, the maximum allowablepitch angle can be an upward pitch angle. The upward pitch angle can bean angle between an optical axis of the imaging device 580 and a planethat is perpendicular to a vertical axis 560 that can be perpendicularrelative to a mobile platform 500, but not perpendicular to the ground.

A purpose for this restriction can be to avoid including any part of afuselage 520 and/or propellers 550 of the mobile platform 500 in apanorama image. Therefore, a limitation for the maximum allowable pitchangle 195 can be the fuselage 520 and/or the propellers 550. Supposingthe maximum allowable pitch angle 195 is represent by φ.

For purposes of ensuring the predetermined vertical overlapping area, anumber N_(l) of image rows for upward pitch can be calculated based onthe maximum pitch angle φ and the vertical FOV θ_(ver) 182 (shown inFIG. 6):

$\begin{matrix}{N_{1} = \left\lceil \frac{\phi}{\frac{3}{4}\theta_{ver}} \right\rceil} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (5)}\end{matrix}$

Similarly, when the pitch downward direction is restricted by, forexample, the fuselage 520 and/or the propellers 550, the number N_(l) ofimage rows for downward pitch can also be calculated via Equation (4),where the pitch angle φ represents a maximum allowable pitch angle inthe downward direction.

In some embodiments, image stitching can be performed under anequirectangular projection, where a surface of a globe can be spread outto a plane. The projection maps meridians to vertical straight lines(longitude lines) of constant spacing, and circles of latitude tohorizontal straight lines of constant spacing. Shape distortions canoccur when an image is mapped to the equirectangular projection.

FIGS. 9-14 illustrate images captured with a rectilinear lens at variouspitch angles and converted into equirectangular projectionsrespectively. For example, FIG. 9 shows an image captured at a pitchupward direction and FIG. 10 shows an equirectangular projection of FIG.9. FIG. 11 shows an image captured at a pitch horizontal direction andFIG. 12 shows an equirectangular projection of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 shows animage captured at a pitch downward direction and FIG. 14 shows anequirectangular projection of FIG. 13.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary equirectangular projection of an imagein a rectilinear projection of FIG. 10. Turning to FIG. 9, the image 301can be an image captured via a rectilinear lens (not shown) in a pitchupward direction. In some embodiments, the captured image can includecertain distortions. The image 301 can be a rectified image acquired byrectifying the captured image. Therefore, the image 301 can be in therectilinear projection that can map straight lines to straight lines.

Turning to FIG. 10, the image 301 of FIG. 9 is converted into an image302 in an equirectangular projection. In FIG. 10, the image 302indicates that the image 301 can have been captured with an upward pitchangle, i.e., a pitch angle greater than zero degrees. In FIG. 9, forexample, the pitch angle can be thirty degrees. In such case, a topportion 306 of the image 301 can correspond to longitude lines with lessspacing than a bottom portion 305, therefore, the top portion 306 cancover more longitude lines than the bottom portion 305. As a result, inFIG. 10, the image 302 in the equirectangular projection can have adistortion with the top portion 308 of the image 302 can be wider thanthe bottom portion 307 of the image 302.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary equirectangular projection of an imagein a rectilinear projection of FIG. 11. Turning to FIG. 11, the image311 can be an image captured via a rectilinear lens (not shown) in apitch horizontal direction. In some embodiments, the captured image caninclude certain distortions. The image 311 can be rectified to correctthe distortions.

Turning to FIG. 12, the image 311 of FIG. 11 is converted into an image312 in an equirectangular projection. In FIG. 12, the image 312indicates that the image 311 can have been captured with a first pitchposition (or the horizontal direction), i.e., a pitch angle zerodegrees. In such case, a bottom portion 315 of the image 311 cancorrespond to longitude lines with approximately identical spacing as atop portion 316, therefore, the bottom portion 215 can coverapproximately same number of longitude lines as the top portion. As aresult, the image 312 in the equirectangular projection can have asimilar or same width at both a bottom portion 317 of the image 312 andthe top portion 318 of the image 312.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary equirectangular projection of an imagein a rectilinear projection of FIG. 13. Turning to FIG. 13, the image321 can be an image captured via a rectilinear lens (not shown) at apitch downward angle. In some embodiments, the image captured via therectilinear lens can include certain distortions. The image 321 can berectified to correct the distortions.

Turning to FIG. 14, the image 322 of FIG. 13 is converted into an image322 in an equirectangular projection. In FIG. 14, the image 322indicates that the image 321 can have been captured at the downwardpitch angle, i.e., a pitch angle less than zero degrees. In FIG. 13, asan example, the pitch angle can be negative forty-five degrees. In suchcase, a bottom portion 325 of the image 321 can correspond to longitudelines with less spacing than a top portion 326, therefore, the bottomportion 325 can cover more longitude lines than the top portion 326. Asa result, the image 322 in the equirectangular projection can have adistortion with the bottom portion 327 of the image 322 is wider thanthe top portion 328 of the image 322.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the exemplary method 200. Turning to FIG.15, three images 331, 332, 333 are overlapped to form a panorama image330 in the equirectangular projection. In FIG. 15, the panorama image330 is shown as partially constructed. One or more images can bepositioned to the panorama image 330 in an incremental manner. A firstimage 331 of the three images can be an anchor image that is positionedat a bottom of the panorama image 330. A second image 332 and a thirdimage 333 can be captured for stitching to each other and/or each to thefirst image 331.

For purposes of ensuring a satisfactory stitching result, the images332, 333 can have an overlapping area that is not less than apredetermined measurement, such as overlapping area 336. In someembodiments, between vertically adjacent images 331, 332, an overlappingheight can be ensured with a predetermined measurement not less than aheight of any of the two adjacent images 331, 332. Between twohorizontally adjacent images 332, 333, an overlapping width can beensured with a predetermined ratio not less than a width of any of thetwo adjacent images 332, 333. The predetermined ratio can be, forexample, one fourth for both of the overlapping height and theoverlapping width. In some embodiments, the predetermined ratio can bedifferent for the overlapping height and for the overlapping width.

In some other embodiments, the predetermined measurement can be ensuredby an area ratio of the overlapping area to any of the adjacent images.For example, the overlapping area, such as 336, 339, between any twoadjacent images, either horizontally, such as 332, 333, or vertically,such as 331, 33, can be not less than a predetermined area ratio of theoverlapping area to any of the two images. Such predetermined area ratiocan be, for example, one fourth for both horizontally adjacent images,such as 332, 333, and vertically adjacent images, such as 331, 332. Insome other embodiments, the predetermined ratio can be different for thehorizontally adjacent images, such as 332, 333, and the verticallyadjacent images, such as 331, 332.

For purposes of panorama imaging, particularly spherical panoramaimaging, angle coverages in both a pitch direction and a yaw directioncan be decided in devising the imaging scheme. In a common imagingsetting, the imaging device 580 of FIG. 6 can make a full rotationhorizontally.

For purposes of determining a number of images needed, for example anumber of images in a latitude circle, an angle coverage of an image canbe needed.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method200. Turning to FIG. 16, the range of angle coverage by an imagecaptured by the imaging device 580 of FIG. 6 is illustrated in a globalview. As shown in FIG. 16, the imaging device 580 can be positioned at acenter O of a globe 705. The globe is shown as having radius r. Asurface of the globe 705 can be sectioned by longitude lines andlatitude lines (or circles).

A first longitude line can be represented by longitude_1, and a secondlongitude line can be represented by longitude_2. The first and secondlongitude lines can be separated by a longitude angle β that can be anyvalue within a range of zero degrees to one hundred and eighty degrees,inclusive. An arc section between the first and second longitude linescan have a length L. When a light ray enters the imaging device 580 at apitch angle α, the pitch angle α can correspond to a horizontal sectioncircle 707. The horizontal section circle 707 can have a radius r′. Anarc section of the horizontal section circle 707 between first andsecond longitude lines can have a length L′. Following relationship canexist:

r′=r cos α  Equation (6)

Because a triangle OA′B′ and a triangle O′A′B′ are two isoscelestriangles with a common base, following relationship can exist:

$\begin{matrix}{{2\; r^{\prime}\; \sin \mspace{11mu} \frac{\beta}{2}} = {2r\mspace{11mu} \cos \frac{\phi_{A^{\prime}B^{\prime}}}{2}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (7)}\end{matrix}$

Then, following relationship can be deduced from the above relationship:

$\begin{matrix}{\phi_{A^{\prime}B^{\prime}} = {2{\arcsin \left( {\cos \alpha \sin \frac{\beta}{2}} \right)}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (8)}\end{matrix}$

Equivalently, following relationship can exist:

$\begin{matrix}{\beta = {2{\arcsin\left( \frac{\sin \frac{\phi_{A^{\prime}B^{\prime}}}{2}}{\cos \alpha} \right)}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (9)}\end{matrix}$

FIG. 17 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplarymethod 200. Turning to FIG. 17, a space imaging plane of the imagingdevice 580 of FIG. 6 is shown as the imaging device 580 being at anupward pitch angle. In FIG. 17, the space imaging plane can beillustrated as a shaded area ABCD, four points on a spherical surface ofa globe 705. A corresponding space spherical area can be a curved areadefined by the four points on the spherical surface.

According to Equation (1), a number of images needed for the upwardpitch angle can be determined as:

$\begin{matrix}{M_{0} = {{MAX}\left( {\left\lceil \frac{360}{\frac{3}{4}{\beta 1}} \right\rceil,\ \left\lceil \frac{360}{\frac{3}{4}{\beta 2}} \right\rceil} \right)}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (10)}\end{matrix}$

where, β₁ refers to an angle between two lines in a section plane,corresponding to the upper two sides of the shaded area ABCD; and

β₂ refers to an angle between two lines in a section plane,corresponding to the lower two sides of the shaded area ABCD.

FIG. 18 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplarymethod 200. Turning to FIG. 18, the two projected angles β₁ and β₂ ofEquation (8) can be determined via deduction. In FIG. 18, O representsan optic center of a lens 589 of the imaging device 580 of FIG. 6.Supposing a sensor (not shown) associated with the lens 589 berepresented as ABCD, with measurements of W×H, wherein W represents awidth of the sensor and H represents a height of the sensor. Followingrelationships can exist: AD=BC=W and AB=DC=H.

In FIG. 18, a FOV_(hor)/12 represents “a half of a horizontal FOV” 179that the imaging device 580 can capture; a FOV_(ver)/12 represents “ahalf of a vertical FOV” 178 that the imaging device 580 can capture. E,F and G represent midpoints of sides of the area ABCD respectively. frepresents a focal length of the lens 589 of the imaging device 580. TheFOV of the sensor has a first horizontal-direction (width direction)base line φ_(AD) 177 and a second horizontal-direction (width direction)base line φ_(BC) 176.

According to a projection model of the imaging device 580, taking arectilinear lens as an example, following relationships can exist:

$\begin{matrix}\left\{ \begin{matrix}{{f\; \tan \; \left( \frac{FOV_{hor}}{2} \right)} = \frac{W}{2}} \\{{f\; \tan \; \left( \frac{FOV_{ver}}{2} \right)} = \frac{H}{2}}\end{matrix} \right. & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (11)}\end{matrix}$

A physical coordinates (x_(i), y_(i)) of a point of an image can beconverted to a unified three-dimensional coordinate by followingrelationships:

$\begin{matrix}\left\{ \begin{matrix}{x_{w} = \frac{x_{i} - {W\text{/}2}}{f}} \\{y_{w} = \frac{y_{i} - {H\text{/}2}}{f}} \\{z_{w} = {- 1}}\end{matrix} \right. & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (12)}\end{matrix}$

When the imaging device 580 rotates in a yaw, pitch and/or rolldirection, a conversion, or a rotation matrix, of the three-dimensionalcoordinates can be calculated. A sequence order of the yaw, pitch androll can depend on a specific mechanical configuration of a device, suchas a gimbal, that carries the imaging device 580. Such sequence ordercan be yaw-pitch-roll, pitch-yaw-roll, yaw-roll-pitch etc., which ordercan lead to various rotation matrixes. In some embodiments, for example,the sequence order can be set to yaw-roll-pitch. In such cases, therotation matrix of the three-dimensional coordinate can be calculatedusing the following rotation matrix:

$\begin{matrix}{M = \begin{pmatrix}{\cos \; Y\; \cos \; R} & {\sin \; R} & {{- \sin}\; Y\; \cos \; R} \\{{{- \cos}\; Y\; \sin \; R\; \cos \; P} + {\sin \; Y\; \sin \; P}} & {\cos \; P\; \cos \; R} & {{\sin \; Y\; \sin \; R\; \cos \; P}\; + \; {\sin \; P\; \cos \; Y}} \\{{\cos \; Y\; \sin \; R\; \sin \; P} + {\sin \; Y\; \cos \; P}} & {{- \cos}\; R\; \sin \; P} & {{{- \sin}\; Y\; \sin \; R\; \sin \; P} + {\cos \; Y\; \cos \; P}}\end{pmatrix}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (13)}\end{matrix}$

In other embodiments, the sequence order can be not yaw-roll-pitch,therefore, the rotation matrix can be different.

With the rotation matrix, the converted three-dimensional coordinates(x′_(w), y′_(w), z′_(w)) can be calculated as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{pmatrix}x_{w}^{\prime} \\y_{w}^{\prime} \\z_{w}^{\prime}\end{pmatrix} = {M\begin{pmatrix}x_{w} \\y_{w} \\z_{w}\end{pmatrix}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (14)}\end{matrix}$

FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the exemplary method200. Tuning to FIG. 19, a point with spherical coordinates is convertedto a three-dimensional coordinate. In FIG. 19, the point 188 can havethe spherical coordinates (r, θ, γ). A conversion from the sphericalcoordinates to the three-dimensional coordinates can be as follows:

$\begin{matrix}\left\{ \begin{matrix}{r = \sqrt{x_{w}^{\prime \; 2} + y_{w}^{\prime \; 2} + z_{w}^{\prime \; 2}}} \\{\theta = {\arctan \left( \frac{\sqrt{x_{w}^{\prime 2} + y_{w}^{\prime \; 2}}}{z_{w}^{\prime}} \right)}} \\{\gamma = {2\cos \frac{y_{w}^{\prime}}{x_{w}^{\prime}}}}\end{matrix} \right. & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (15)}\end{matrix}$

Based on Equation (8), following relationship can exist:

$\begin{matrix}\left\{ \begin{matrix}{\phi_{AD} = \phi_{BC}} \\{\theta_{A} = \theta_{D}} \\{\theta_{B} = \theta_{C}}\end{matrix} \right. & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (16)}\end{matrix}$

Further, according to Equation (7), β₁ and β₂ can be calculated byfollowing relationships:

$\begin{matrix}\left\{ \begin{matrix}{\beta_{1} = {{2\arcsin \left( {\sin \frac{\phi_{AD}}{2}\text{/}\cos \alpha_{1}} \right)} = {2{\arcsin \left( {\sin \frac{\phi_{AD}}{2}\text{/}\sin \theta_{A}} \right)}}}} \\{\beta_{2} = {{2{\arcsin \left( {\sin \frac{\phi_{BC}}{2}\text{/}\cos \alpha_{2}} \right)}} = {2{\arcsin \left( {\sin \frac{\phi_{BC}}{2}\text{/}\sin \theta_{B}} \right)}}}}\end{matrix} \right. & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (17)}\end{matrix}$

Referring back to FIG. 18, in an alternative embodiment, when the sensorhas a W:H ratio of 4:3, the horizontal FOV_(hor) 179 is 84°, thevertical FOV_(ver) 178 is 66°, and an upward pitch angle is 45°, β₁ andβ₂ can be calculated as:

$\begin{matrix}\left\{ \begin{matrix}{\beta_{1} = {15{0.1}005^{\circ}}} \\{\beta_{2} = {7{4.0}606^{\circ}}}\end{matrix} \right. & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (18)}\end{matrix}$

Then, a theoretical number of images at the upward pitch angle offorty-five degrees can be calculated as:

$\begin{matrix}{M_{i} = {{{MAX}\left( {\left\lceil \frac{360}{\frac{3}{4}{\beta 1}} \right\rceil,\ \left\lceil \frac{360}{\frac{3}{4}{\beta 2}} \right\rceil} \right)} = 7}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (19)}\end{matrix}$

For purposes of ensuring a predetermined overlapping area of one-fourthof a height of any vertically adjacent images, a number of image rowsfor downward pitch angles can be calculated as:

$\begin{matrix}{N_{2} = \left\lceil \frac{90}{\frac{3}{4}\theta_{ver}} \right\rceil} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (20)}\end{matrix}$

When the imaging device 580 is at a downward pitch angle, i.e., when thepitch angle is less than zero degrees, the number of images needed tocover an image row can be M_(2i) (i∈(1, N₂)). Pursuant to a symmetryprinciple, an issue can be to ensure a predetermined overlapping area ata top of each image. The predetermined overlapping area can beone-fourth of a width of an upper portion of any two horizontallyadjacent images. When the pitch angle of the imaging device 580 is at apitch angle of −α, the number of images needed to cover a full latitudecircle (a full horizontal rotation) can be identical with the number ofimages when the imaging device 580 is at a pitch angle of α.

Now referring back to FIG. 9, when the imaging device 580 is oriented ata first pitch angle (a pitch angle of zero degrees or in a horizontaldirection), a predetermined number M₀ of images can be needed to cover afull horizontal rotation. For purposes of capturing the images, theimaging device 580 can capture images successively at yaw positions: 0degrees, 360/M₀ degrees, 2×360/M₀ degrees, 3×360/M₀ degrees, . . .(M₀−1)*360/M₀ degrees.

Now referring back to FIG. 8, for purposes of covering a full rotationat an upward pitch angle φ/N₁, additional images to the number of imagesat the first pitch position can be needed to ensure enough overlappingareas in the horizontal direction. In some embodiments, two images morethan the number of images at the first pitch position can be needed,i.e., M₀+2 images can be needed at the pitch angle −90/N₁.

When N₁>1, a plurality of upward pitch angles can exist, e.g., pitchangles of

$\frac{2 \times \phi}{N_{1}},\ldots \mspace{14mu},{{and}\mspace{14mu} \frac{\left( {N_{1} - 1} \right) \times \phi}{N_{1}}}$

degrees. Additional images to the image number at the first pitchposition can also be needed to ensure enough overlapping areas in thehorizontal direction.

For purposes of covering a full rotation at a downward pitch angle−90/N₁, additional images to the number of images at the first pitchposition can be needed to ensure enough overlapping areas in thehorizontal direction. In some embodiments, two images more than thenumber of images at the first pitch position can be needed, i.e., M₀+2images can be needed at the pitch angle −90/N₁.

$\frac{2 \times 90}{N_{1}},\ldots \mspace{14mu},{{and}\mspace{11mu} \frac{\left( {N_{1} - 2} \right) \times 90}{N_{1}}}$

When N₂>2, a plurality of upward pitch angles can exist, e.g., pitchangles of degrees. Additional images to the image number at the firstpitch position can also be needed to ensure enough overlapping areas inthe horizontal direction.

Although shown and described as being constantly spaced between twoadjacent images for purposes of illustration only, the spacing betweentwo adjacent images can be uniform and/or vary as long as abundantoverlapping areas can be ensured between the adjacent images.

Alternatively and/or additionally, an anchor image can be needed tocover a bottom portion or a top portion of the panorama image. In casethe anchor image covers the bottom portion, the imaging device 580 cancapture the anchor image at a pitch angle of negative ninety degrees,i.e., pointing the imaging device 580 directly toward the ground.

Following table (1) illustrates a practical embodiment of the exemplarymethod 200. In table (1), four image rows and corresponding number ofimages in each row are listed.

TABLE 1 Number Horizontal Total of Images Space Angle Number for abetween of Images Pitch Angle Rotation images 23    0° (Horizontal) 6Images 60°   30° (Upward) 8 Images 45° −45° (Downward) 8 Images 45° −90°(Downward) 1 Images —

As listed in table 1, the FOV of the imaging device 580 of FIG. 6 can bepresumed as having a horizontal FOV angle θ_(hor)=84° and a vertical FOVangle θ_(ver)=66°. A maximum upward pitch angle can be presumed asφ=30°.

According to the approaches shown and described herein, the four imagerows can be determined at pitch angles: 0°, 30°, −45° and −90°respectively. Among the four pitch angles, 0° refers to a first pitchposition of a horizontal direction, 30° refers to a pitch angle abovethe first pitch position (an upward pitch angle), and −45° and −90°refer to pitch angles below the first pitch position (downward pitchangles). For purposes of enhancing stitching effects of a resultpanorama image, more images than a theoretically deducted number ofimages can be applied to provide certain overlapping margins,

As listed in table 1, M₀ can be six, i.e., six images can be used tocover a full latitude circle (the full horizontal rotation) at the firstpitch position. The images can be captured with a constant angle spacebetween any two adjacent images. The angle space can be sixty degrees,resulting in yaw positions at: 0 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 180degrees, 240 degrees and 300 degrees.

The number of images at the upward pitch angle of thirty degrees can bedetermined as eight. Similarly, the images can be evenly distributedalong a full rotation at the upward pitch angle thirty degrees. Theangle space between any adjacent images can be forty-five degrees,resulting in yaw positions at: 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees and 315 degrees.

The number of images at the downward pitch angle of negative forty-fivedegrees can be eight. Similarly, the images can be evenly distributedalong a full rotation at the upward pitch angle of negative forty-fivedegrees. The angle space between any adjacent images can be forty-fivedegrees, resulting in yaw positions at: 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees and 315degrees.

One anchor image can be provided at the downward pitch angle of negativeninety degrees, i.e., the imaging device 580 targeting directly to theground. Although shown and described as negative ninety degrees forpurposes of illustration only, the anchor image can be positioned in anyother suitable positions, such as a top position of the panorama image.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary imaging system 300 forimplementing the method 100 of FIG. 1. Turning to FIG. 20, an imagingdevice 580 is coupled to a gimbal 560 that is coupled with a mobileplatform 500. The mobile platform 500 can be any conventional type ofmobile platform, such as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (“UAV”) that canhave four propellers 550 for providing lifting power as shown in FIG.20.

The mobile platform 500 can have a fuselage 520 that can house acontroller (not shown) for executing the methods shown and describedherein. The fuselage 520 can house one or more non-transitory computerreadable storage media (not shown) that can be associated with thecontroller. The storage media can provide storage for instructions forimplementing the methods shown and described herein to form a computerprogram production.

The gimbal 560 can be a three-dimensional gimbal that can enable theimaging device 580 to rotate in a horizontal plane, such as a rotation551. The rotation of the gimbal 560 can orient the imaging device 580 tovarious yaw angles. Although shown as a rotation 551 in an anticlockwisedirection for purposes of illustration only, the gimbal 560 can rotatein a clockwise direction to orient the imaging device 580 at anypredetermined yaw angle.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the gimbal 560 can rotate about ahorizontal axis 555 in at least one of two directions 552, 553. In someembodiments, the gimbal 560 can rotate about the horizontal axis 555 inboth directions 552, 553 to provide the imaging device 580 with variouspitch positions (or pitch angles). The gimbal 560 can make a fullhorizontal rotation at each of the pitch positions. When the imagingdevice 580 is oriented horizontally, the pitch position of the imagingdevice 580 can be referred as a first pitch position (or a pitch angleof zero degrees). When the imaging device 580 is oriented above thefirst pitch position, the pitch position of the imaging device 580 canbe referred as at an upward pitch position (or a positive pitch angle).When the imaging device 580 is oriented below the first pitch position,the pitch position of the imaging device 580 can be referred as at adownward pitch position (or a negative pitch angle).

In some embodiments, the gimbal 560 can be a stabilizable gimbal toprovide the imaging device 580 capacities to alleviate vibrations whencapturing images. In some embodiments, an Inertial Measurement Unit(“IMU”) (not shown) can be arranged inside or outside of the fuselage520 for acquiring real-time attitude information. Alternatively and/oradditionally, any other devices and/or equipment can be arranged insideor outside of the fuselage 520. For illustrative purposes, a gyroscope,an accelerometer, a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) and/or amagnetometer (not shown) can be provided for acquiring the real-timeattitude information.

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary method 500 forautomatically capturing images of a panorama image. Turning to FIG. 21,an imaging scheme for capturing the images of the panorama image isacquired and automatically executed. In FIG. 21, an imaging schemedesigned for capture images of a panorama image can be acquired, at 220.The imaging scheme can include, for example, a number of images to formthe panorama image, each image corresponding to a pitch angle and/or ayaw angle (or attitude status). The imaging scheme can further includean order for capturing the images.

The imaging scheme can advantageously include a plurality of images toform the panorama image. At 250, the plurality of images according tothe imaging scheme can be captured automatically. Attitude status of animaging device 580 (shown in FIG. 20) can be adjusted according to theimaging scheme for capturing the plurality of images one by one in apredetermined order defined by the imaging scheme. For purposes ofadjusting the attitude status of the imaging device 580, a gimbal 560coupled with the imaging device 580 and a mobile platform 500 coupledwith the imaging device 580 and/or the gimbal 560 can be coordinated toprovide the attitude status of the imaging device 580.

Although shown and described as capturing the plurality of images in thepredetermined order defined by the imaging scheme for purposes ofillustration only, the imaging scheme can be reordered to fit arequirement of the imaging device 580.

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method500. Turning to FIG. 22, the imaging scheme of FIG. 1 is acquired bydetermining an anchor image and other image rows. In FIG. 22, the anchorimage can be either positioned at a top of a panorama image or at abottom of the panorama image, at 221. The imaging scheme can defineposition of the anchor image or the position can be decided when theimaging scheme is executed.

One or more other image rows of the imaging scheme can be determined, at223. The other image rows can include, for example, an image row along apitch horizontal direction, one or more image rows above the pitchhorizontal direction, and/or one or more image rows below the pitchhorizontal direction. The imaging scheme can be acquired to determine anumber of rows and their corresponding pitch angles, as well as numberof images in each row and their corresponding yaw angles.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method500. Turning to FIG. 23, the mobile platform 500 is navigated, and theplurality of images are captured automatically according to the imagingscheme. In FIG. 23, a mobile platform 500 that is coupled with animaging device 580 can be navigated to a desired imaging location and/ora desired altitude, at 261. In some embodiments, the desired imaginglocation and/or the desired altitude can be defined with the imagingscheme and the mobile platform 500 can automatically navigate to thedesired imaging location and/or the desired altitude. In some otherembodiments, the mobile platform 500 can be navigated manually to thedesired imaging location and/or the desired altitude.

At 262, the imaging device 580 can be configured to set certainconfigurable parameters in order to facilitate capturing the images. Theconfigurable parameters can be set based on ambient conditions,including, but not limited to, territorial features, light, a directionof the light, time, color and/or an operator's desired effect. Theconfigurable parameters can include, but are not limited to, an outputformat and/or an exposure setting, such as an aperture, a shutter speedand the like. The configurable parameters can be configuredautomatically or manually from a remote location. Alternatively oradditionally, the steps 261, 262 can be performed in any order, anycombination, individually, and/or optionally.

At 263, a command for panorama imaging can be issued. The command can beissued to certain control mechanism (not shown) that can control themobile platform 500, the gimbal 560 and/or the imaging device 580. Insome embodiments, the panorama imaging command can be issued remotely toinitiate a panorama imaging process. In some other embodiments, thecommand can be issued automatically by the control mechanism when theconfigurable parameters are set and the mobile platform 500 navigates tothe desired position and the desired altitude.

The imaging device 580 can start automatically capturing the pluralityof images according to the imaging scheme, at 250. The imaging device580 can be oriented to an attitude of an image according to the imagingscheme, at 265. The image can be, for example, the anchor image or anyother image. The imaging device 580 can be pointed to the desiredattitude by changing a pitch angle and/or a yaw angle. The pitch angleand/or the yaw angle of the imaging device 580 can be changed byoperating the gimbal 560 and/or the mobile platform 500.

When oriented to the desired attitude, the imaging device 580 canautomatically capture the image, at 266, in any suitable format. Whilethe imaging device 580 is capturing the image, real-time attitudeinformation can also be acquired, at 267. In some embodiments, thereal-time attitude information can be captured via an IMU). In otherembodiments, the real-time attitude information can be captured via anyother suitable devices individually or in any combination, including,but not limited to, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a GPS and/or amagnetometer. Although shown and described as capturing the real-timeattitude information while capturing the image for purpose ofillustration only, the real-time attitude information can be capturedbefore or after capturing the image.

The captured image and the acquired attitude information can be storedinto a storage (not shown). The storage can be any type of suitablestorage device, including, but not limited to, a secure digital card(“SD”), an embedded multimedia card (“eMMC”), a solid state drive(“SSD”), a USB disk, or any other type of mobile disk, and the like. Thestorage can be attached to the imaging device 580 or be communicativelyassociated with the imaging device 580. The storage can save thecaptured images and/or the acquired attitude information until thecaptured images and/or the acquired attitude information are transferredfor further processes, such as a stitching process.

Optionally, the captured image and corresponding attitude informationcan be sent or transferred, at 269, to a ground station (not shown) fromthe storage. The ground station can be a device that has a capacity ofprocessing the images, such as stitching the images to form the panoramaimage. The image and the corresponding attitude information can betransferred to the ground station via any communication connections,including, but not limited to, a wired connection, a wireless connectionand/or a network connection. The transfer can be conducted in accordancewith any suitable transmission protocols.

Although shown and described as sending the captured image and theattitude information right after the storing for purposes ofillustration only, the image and the attitude information can be sent inany predetermined order. In some embodiments, the captured image and theattitude information can be sent with assistance of the imaging device580 when the imaging device 580 is not capturing images. Therefore, thecaptured image can be sent to the ground station at any time and, insome embodiments, are sent to the ground station in an order that theimages are captured.

When the captured image and the attitude information are stored into thestorage, whether or not they are sent to the ground station, the imagingdevice 580 can be oriented to the attitude information of one of therest images according to the imaging scheme, at 265. Another image canbe captured, at 266, and corresponding attitude information can beacquired, at 267. The captured image and attitude information can bestored into the storage, at 268, for sending to the ground station, at269. This process can continue until all images defined in the imagingscheme are captured.

The capturing process, at 250, can involve in other optional steps. Suchsteps can include, but are not limited to, adjusting the configurationof the imaging device 580 and/or resolution reducing.

FIG. 24 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method500. Turning to FIG. 24, the automatic image capturing process accordingto the imaging scheme via a flow-chart diagram. In FIG. 24, an imagingdevice 580 can be pointed at a preselected pitch angle for an anchorimage according to the imaging scheme, at 271. The preselected pitchangle for the anchor image can be either at the top or at the bottom ofa panorama image. The imaging device 580 can be pointed to the selectedpitch angle via operating a gimbal 560 (shown in FIG. 20) coupled withthe imaging device 580.

As shown in FIG. 24, the anchor image can be captured, at 272. The imagecan be captured in a suitable conventional manner. The captured imagecan be stored into a storage (not shown) for a purpose of transferringto a location for stitching.

When the anchor image is captured, the imaging scheme can be checked todetermine whether there is any more image row left for processing, at275. When there is at least one image row available, the imaging device580 can be moved to another selected image row by pointing to a pitchangle corresponding to the selected image row, at 273.

The imaging device 580 can be pointed to the selected pitch angle, at273, for example, a pitch horizontal direction. Images of an image rowat the preselected pitch angle can be acquired, at 280. For purposes ofcapturing images of the image row, the imaging device 580 can be pointedto each of yaw angles defined for the preselected pitch angle in thehorizontal direction, at 281. The imaging device 580 can capture animage at each of the yaw angles, at 282. When each of the images iscaptured, the image can be stored in the storage and/or transferred tothe location for stitching.

Similarly, when the images of the preselected pitch angle are captured,the imaging scheme can be checked to determine whether there is any moreimage row left for processing (i.e. whether each image row iscompleted), at 275. When there is at least one image row available, theimaging device 580 can be moved to another selected image row. Images ofthe image row at the selected pitch angle can be captured, at 280. Theimaging device 580 can be successively pointed to each of yaw anglesdefined for the selected pitch angle in the horizontal direction, at 281and capture an image at each of the yaw angles, at 282. When each of theimages is captured, the image can be stored in the storage and/ortransferred to the location for stitching. The steps 275, 273, 281 and282 can be performed repeatedly until the images defined in the imagingscheme are captured.

Although shown and described as capturing the image at each of the yawangles for purposes of illustration only, the real-time attitudeinformation can be acquired while, before or after capturing the imagein a similar manner shown and described with reference to FIG. 23. Thereal-time attitude information can be stored into the storagecorresponding to each of the captured images. When each of the imagesare stored into the storage, the image can be transferred to a groundstation for further processing at any time and/or in any suitablemanner.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary method 600 forstitching images to form a panorama image. Turning to FIG. 25, an imageand corresponding attitude information are received and stitched to acompositing image. In FIG. 25, the image can be received, at 520, withthe corresponding attitude information for that image. The image can bean image of a scene captured to form the panorama image. The attitudeinformation can comprise real-time attitude information acquired while,before or after capturing the image. The attitude information canindicate where the image should be positioned in the panorama image.

At 550, the received image can be stitched onto the compositing image.The compositing image can be a panorama image of the scene. Thecompositing image can be the panorama image being built. In someembodiments, the compositing image can begin with, for example, ananchor image to incrementally construct the panorama image.

The stitching process can be executed based on the correspondingattitude information for each of the received images. The stitchingprocess can be implemented automatically in an incremental manner. Theattitude information can provide a base for aligning the received imageand for limiting a micro-tuning scope, so that, a calculation volume canbe decreased.

FIG. 26 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method600. Turning to FIG. 26, the received image can be stitched to thecompositing image by converting, aligning, micro-tuning and fusing thereceived image. In FIG. 26, the received image can be converted into anequirectangular projection, at 560. The equirectangular projection (orequidistant cylindrical projection or geographic projection) can be aprojection that maps meridians to vertical straight lines of constantspacing and circles of latitude to horizontal straight lines of constantspacing. The received image can be converted into the equirectangularprojection via any suitable conventional manner.

The received image can be aligned, at 570, relative to the compositingimage based on attitude information that can be received with the image.The attitude information can reflect a position where the received imageshould be positioned relative to the composting image.

The position based on the attitude information can lack a requiredaccuracy because, for example, the attitude information can havedeviations exist with measurement devices used to acquire the attitudeinformation. In some embodiments, the received image can be micro-tunedrelative to the compositing image, at 580, to acquire a satisfactorymatch. The micro-tuning can depend on available parameters ofmeasurement deviations of the attitude information, such as a pitchdeviation, a yaw deviation and/or a roll deviation. The received imagecan be micro-tuned by matching a portion of the received image and aportion of the compositing image. Such matching can be acquired bymatching common feature points on both the received image and thecompositing image. Because received image can be positionedapproximately based on the attitude information, a scope of the matchingcan be limited to, for example, the deviations.

When the relative position is ascertained, the received image can befused to the compositing image, at 590, to further the panorama image.The received image can be fused to the compositing image via anyconventional approaches that can result in a smooth blended result. Insome embodiments, the received image can be fused to the compositingimage with a blending algorithm to reduce artifacts at the overlappingareas. Such blending algorithm can include, e.g., a Laplacian PyramidBlending algorithm.

Other suitable blending algorithms can be applied in fusing the receivedimage to the compositing image, including, but not limited to, anypyramid blending, feathering or center weighing image blending algorithmand the like.

Because the received image can be stitched to the compositing image whenthe received image is aligned and micro-tuned, the panorama image can beconstructed or stitched in an incremental manner. However, althoughshown and described as stitching the received image incrementally, theimages can be globally optimized after at least a portion of images arereceived and micro-tuned. The global optimization can be performed in alimited scope to finalize the panorama image with another layer offine-tuning.

FIG. 27 illustrates another embodiment of the exemplary method 600.Turning to FIG. 27, the received image is converted to anequirectangular projection via two transformations. In FIG. 27, aprojection of the received image can be determined, at 561. In someembodiments, the received image can be acquired via a rectilinear lens.In such case, the received image can comprise a rectilinear projection.In some other embodiments, the received image can be acquired with afisheye lens, for example, a circular fisheye lens. In such case, thereceived image can comprise a fisheye projection. A type of lens used toacquire the received lens can be determined by configuration forstitching or by a parameter transferred with the image.

When determined as acquired by a rectilinear lens, the received imagecan be transformed to a spherical projection from the rectilinearprojection, at 562. The spherical projection can be a projection thatprojects a sphere onto a plane, including, but not limited to,orthographic projection, gnomonic projection, stereographic projectionand equal area projection. The transformation from the rectilinearprojection to the spherical projection can be performed in anyconventional manner. The spherical radius of the spherical projectioncan be equal to a focal length of the rectilinear lens used to capturethe received image.

When determined as acquired by a fisheye lens, the received image can betransformed to the spherical projection from the fisheye projection, at563. The transformation from the fisheye projection to the sphericalprojection can be performed in any conventional manner. The sphericalradius of the spherical projection can be equal to a focal length of thefisheye lens used to capture the received image.

The received image in the spherical projection can be transformed fromthe spherical projection to the equirectangular projection, at 565. Thetransformation from the spherical projection to the equirectangularprojection can be performed in any suitable conventional manners.

Although shown and described as the received image being captured usinga rectilinear lens or a fisheye lens for purposes of illustration only,the received image can be captured using other suitable types of lenses.Although shown and described as transforming to the equirectangularprojection through a spherical projection for purposes of illustrationonly, the received image can be transformed to the equirectangularprojection in a direct manner or through any other suitable projections.

FIG. 28 illustrates another embodiment of the exemplary method 600.Turning to FIG. 28, the received image is aligned relative to thecompositing image based on the attitude information 575 of FIG. 25. InFIG. 28, the attitude information 575 can include a pitch angle 571, ayaw angle 572 and/or a roll angle 573. Since the attitude information575 can reflect attitude status of an imaging device 580 (shown in FIG.20) used to capture the received image, the pitch angle 571, the yawangle and/or the roll angle 573 can be used to decide an image position585 of the received image.

The image position 585 of the receive image can be a position relativeto the compositing image. In some embodiments, the compositing image canbe built on a compositing plane. Each of the images forming thecompositing image can have corresponding attitude information, includingthe pitch angle, the yaw angle, and/or the roll angle. The receivedimage can, therefore, be aligned with the images forming the compositingimage based on the attitude information.

Although shown and described as including pitch the angle 571, the yawangle 572 and roll angle 573 for purposes of illustration only, theattitude information can include other information, such as lens typeand altitude of the imaging device 580 etc.

FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method600. Turning to FIG. 29, the received image can be micro-tuned bydetermining searching scopes, matching overlapping area, matching costsand ascertaining an optimal combination. In FIG. 29, the searchingscopes can be determined in a pitch direction, a yaw direction and/or aroll direction, at 581. Each of the searching scopes can be determinedbased on deviations in each of the three directions.

At 582, as least one overlapping area between the received image and thecompositing image can be matched via the determined searching scopes.The overlapping area can refer to a common area on both the receivedimage and the compositing image when the received image is positioned.For one received image, it can be possible that there is no overlappingarea between the received image and the compositing image, such as, foran anchor image or a first image that is not the anchor image. Whenthere exists no overlapping area, no micro-tuning is needed. However,when the received image overlaps the compositing image, one or moreoverlapping areas can exist in a horizontal direction and/or a verticaldirection. In such case, at least one overlapping area can bemicro-tuned for accurate position of the received image.

Micro-tuning of the overlapping area can be used to find matched pixelsof the overlapping area. Because the received image can be positionedbased on the attitude information, the micro-tuning can be limited tothe searching scopes, which can substantively reduce calculation amount.

The received image and the compositing image can be found match bycalculated matching costs for each combination of the searching scope. Amatching cost can refer to an accumulation of pixel value differencesfor a certain combination of the pitch angle, the yaw angle and the rollangle. Matching costs for each of the combination can be determined, at583.

At 585, an optimal combination of the pitch angle, the yaw angle and theroll angle can be ascertained. The optimal combination can beascertained by comparing the matching costs for each of thecombinations. In some embodiments, the optimal combination can be acombination with minimum matching cost. In other embodiments, theoptimal combination can be selected when the matching cost is less thana predetermined threshold cost value.

Although shown and described as using the matching cost to determine theoptimal combination for purposes of illustration only, other calculatedvalues can be used to determine the optimal combination.

FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method600. Turning to FIG. 30, the searching scopes 599 are determined basedon the deviations 595 respectively. In FIG. 30, the deviations 595 caninclude a pitch deviation 591, a yaw deviation 592 and/or a rolldeviation 593. The deviations 595 can be caused by various factors of animaging device 580, a gimbal 560 coupled with the imaging device 580and/or the mobile platform 500 coupled with the imaging device 580and/or the gimbal 560 (collectively shown in FIG. 20).

As an example, the pitch deviation 591 can be a deviation in a pitchdirection of the imaging device 580. The various factors that cause thepitch deviation 591 can include, but are not limited to, a controlerror, a delay error and a vibration amplitude in the pitch direction.The pitch deviation 591 can be a known factor for a combination of theimaging device 580, the gimbal 560 and the mobile device 500.

The yaw deviation 592 can be a deviation in a yaw direction the imagingdevice 580. The various factors that cause the yaw deviation 592 caninclude, but are not limited to, a control errors, a delay errors and avibration amplitude in the yaw direction. The yaw deviation 591 can be aknown factor for the combination of the imaging device 580, the gimbal560 and the mobile device 500. Similarly, the roll deviation 592 can bea deviation in a roll direction the imaging device 580. The variousfactors that cause the roll deviation 592 can include, but are notlimited to, a control errors, a delay errors and a vibration amplitudein the roll direction. The roll deviation 591 can be a known factor forthe combination of the imaging device 580, the gimbal 560 and the mobiledevice 500.

The searching scopes 599 can be decided based on the deviations 595. Forexample, a searching scope 596 in a pitch direction can be decided basedon the pitch deviation 591. Similarly, a searching scope 597 in a yawdirection can be decided based on the yaw deviation 592 and a searchingscope 598 in a roll direction can be decide based on the roll deviation593.

Each of the searching scope 599 can include a step length δ and a numberof steps n. As shown in FIG. 30, a pitch deviation 591, a yaw deviation592 and/or a roll deviation 593 can exist in attitude information when areceived image is captured. In some embodiments, for a purpose ofsimplifying a determination process, the step length δ can be decided asa common step length. For purposes of illustration only, the number ofsteps can be n for the pitch direction, the yaw direction and the rolldirection. Supposing a received image has a pitch angle α_(i), a yawangle β_(i), and a roll angle γ_(i), the searching scopes can be:α_(i)±nδ for the pitch direction; β_(i)±nδ for the yaw direction; andγ_(i)±nδ. Then, there can be a total of (2n+1)³ searching combinations.

In some embodiments, the pitch deviation 591, the yaw deviation 592and/or the roll deviation 593 can be different, which can result indifferent searching scopes 599. FIG. 31 illustrates an alternativeembodiment of the exemplary method 600, wherein the searching scopes 599of FIG. 30 are different. In FIG. 31, the searching scope 596 in pitchdirection, the searching scope 597 in yaw direction and the searchingscope 598 in roll direction can be different.

Supposing the step length can be decided as S. To reflect thedifferences among the deviations 591, 592 and 593, the number of stepscan be different among the three directions. Supposing n_(p), n_(y), andn_(r) be the numbers of steps for the pitch direction, the yaw directionand the roll direction respectively, for the received image, thesearching scopes can be: α_(i)±n_(p)δ for the pitch direction;β_(i)±n_(y)δ for the yaw direction; and γ_(i)±n_(r)δ. A total of(2n_(p)+1)(2n_(y)+1)(2n_(r)+1) searching combinations 601 can bedetermined.

Although shown and described as being the common δ as the step length δfor determining the searching scopes for purposes of illustration only,different step length can be applied in determining the searching scopesin the pitch, yaw and roll directions respectively.

In some embodiments, a matching cost for each combination 601 of thesearching step and the number of steps in each of the pitch direction,the yaw direction and the roll direction can be determined. The matchingcost can be calculated via a Sum of Absolute Differences (“SAD”) measureor a Normalized Cross-Correlation (“NCC”) measure.

In FIG. 31, an optimal combination 602 can be determined based on thematching costs of each of the combinations 601. The optimal combination602 can be ascertained by comparing the matching costs for each of thecombinations 601. In some embodiments, the optimal combination 602 canbe a combination with minimum matching cost. In other embodiments, theoptimal combination 602 can be selected when the matching cost is lessthan a predetermined threshold cost value.

Although shown and described as using the matching cost to determine theoptimal combination for purposes of illustration only, other calculatedvalues can be used to determine the optimal combination.

FIG. 32 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an exemplary method600. Turning to FIG. 32, an anchor image is initialized and other imagesare stitched to form a panorama image. In FIG. 32, the anchor image canbe received, at 522. The anchor image can be received with attitudeinformation (not shown) or without the attitude information. Whenreceived without the attitude information, the anchor image can bepositioned at a default position, such as, a bottom of the panoramaimage.

The anchor image can be converted to an equirectangular projection, at560. The anchor image can be converted to the equirectangular projectionin a manner shown and described herein. The anchor image in theequirectangular projection can be initialized at a proper position of acompositing image, at 591, based on either the received attitudeinformation or the default position. Since the anchor image is a firstimage received, there can be no need of stitching or merging for theanchor image. In some embodiments, the anchor image can be a startingimage of the compositing image.

Whether the stitching process is finished can be checked, at 588.Because now only the anchor image is positioned, there can be moreimages for stitching. At 520, another image can be received withcorresponding the attitude information. In some embodiments, any imageexcept for the anchor image can have the attitude information that canidentify where the image should be aligned relative to the compositingimage. The attitude information can include a pitch angle, a yaw angleand/or a roll angle.

The received image can be converted to an equirectangular projection, at560, in a manner shown and described herein. Successively, the receivedimage can be aligned relative to the compositing image, at 570. Thereceived image can be aligned based on the corresponding attitudeinformation of the received image.

Because, among other reasons, deviations can exist in the attitudeinformation, the alignment based on the attitude information can be notsatisfactorily precise. For a purpose of addressing the alignmentprecision, the received image can be micro-tuned relative to thecompositing image, at 580. The micro-tuning can be performed by matchingfeature points in at least one overlapping between the received imageand the compositing image. In some embodiments, each existingoverlapping areas between the received image and the compositing image,either in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction, can bemicro-tuned to ensure the position precision of the receive image.

A result of the micro-tuning can be an optimal combination of apitch-yaw-roll angle combination within certain searching scopes, forexample, a minimum matching cost of the combination. When the optimalcombination is acquired, the received image can be merged with thecompositing image, at 590, by any suitable blending algorithm. Themerged result can reduce any artifacts at the overlapping areas.

At 591, the received image can form the compositing image. In otherwords, the received image can further the compositing image by mergingto the compositing image. Each merge of the received image can make thecompositing image a step closer to the panorama image. Because thereceived image can be stitched to the compositing image one by one, thereceived image can be called incrementally stitched to form the panoramaimage. The incremental stitching approach can be more advantageous thanother approaches, such as a global optimization approach, because theincremental stitching approach can dramatically reduce a calculationvolume.

At 588, whether the stitching process is finished can be checked again.If no, another image can be received, at 520, and be processed andmerged to the compositing image, at 590. If yes, the stitching processis finished and the compositing image can become the panorama image.

Although shown and described as using the incremental stitching approachfor purposes of illustration only, the incrementally stitched panoramaimage can be partially or entirely be optimized. In such a case, theoptimization can be limited because the images can have been positionedprecisely. This optimization can further optimize the positions of theimages within the panorama image from a global view.

FIG. 33 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary method 700 forobtaining a panorama image. Turning to FIG. 33, a plurality of imagescan be captured according to an imaging scheme that is devised forobtaining the panorama image. In FIG. 33, the imaging scheme forobtaining the panorama image can be devised, at 710. The panorama imagecan be a spherical panorama image. The imaging scheme can define theplurality of images that can form the panorama image.

The imaging scheme can be devised based on at least one imagingparameter. The imaging parameter can include at least one parameter ofan imaging device 580, a gimbal 560 for coupling with the imaging device580 or a mobile platform 500 associated with the imaging device 580(collectively shown in FIG. 20). The imaging device 580 can be used forcapturing the plurality of images defined in the imaging scheme. Thegimbal 560 and the mobile platform 500 can be used to provide a pitchangle and/or a yaw angle to the imaging device 580 for each imagesaccording to the imaging scheme.

The plurality of images can be automatically captured according theimaging scheme, at 730. One or more configurable parameters of theimaging device 580 can be configured either automatically and/ormanually. The configurable parameters can include, but are not limitedto, an output format and/or an exposure setting, such as an aperture, ashutter speed and the like. The configurable based on ambientconditions, including, but not limited to, territorial features, light,direction of the light, time, color and/or an operator's desired effect.When capturing each of the images, the imaging device 580 can beoriented to a desired attitude according to the imaging scheme. When theimaging device 580 is satisfactorily oriented, an image can be capturedand corresponding real-time attitude information can be acquired as theimage is captured.

Although shown and described as automatically capturing the images forpurposes of illustration only, operator intervention can be introducedto the imaging process, such as configuring and/or adjusting certainimaging parameters.

The captured images and real-time attitude information can be stored ina storage media (not shown) for later stitching. Alternatively and/oradditionally, each image can be transferred (or sent) to a processingstation (not shown) for stitching in either an incremental manner or aglobal manner.

FIG. 34 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary method700. Turning to FIG. 34, captured images are sent and stitched forreconfiguring at least one of the configurable parameters of FIG. 33. InFIG. 34, an imaging scheme for obtaining a panorama image can bedevised, at 710. The imaging scheme can be devised based on at least oneof an imaging parameter. A plurality of images according to the imagingscheme can be captured automatically, at 730. Meanwhile, real-timeattitude information can be acquired when each of the images iscaptured. The captured image and the acquired real-time attitudeinformation can be stored in a storage media (not shown) for laterstitching.

Alternatively and/or additionally, the captured image and the acquiredreal-time attitude information can be sent, at 750, to a ground station.The captured image can be sent for purposes of previewing a stitchingeffect of the captured image with at least a portion of the panoramaimage. The captured image can be sent in a native resolution that can bea high resolution. However, when the captured image is transferred via awireless communication connection, the wireless communication connectioncan be a bottleneck for transferring the high resolution image.Alternatively and/or additionally, high resolution images can take morecalculation resources than low resolution images. For purposes offacilitating the image transferring and stitching, the resolution of thecaptured image can be reduced before sending the captured image forstitching.

The captured image can be received by the ground station. The receivedimage can be stitched to the panorama image, at 770. If the receivedimage is a first image, the received image can be used as an anchorimage to initialize the panorama image. The effect of the received imagealone can be previewed. If the received image is not the first image,the received image can be stitched to the panorama image. The effect ofthe image merging with the panorama image can be previewed. For previewpurposes, in some embodiments, the received image can be stitched in thereduced resolution.

The received image can be stitched by positioning the received imagerelative to the panorama image and merging the received image to thepanorama image. The received image can be positioned by aligning thereceived image relative to the panorama image based on the attitudeinformation and micro-tuning the received image relative to the panoramaimage based on a pitch deviation, a yaw deviation and/or a rolldeviation. The received image can be merged to the panorama image by anysuitable blending algorithm to reduce artifacts of a merging result.

The effect of the received image can be used as a ground forreconfiguring or adjusting at least one of configurable parameters ofthe imaging device 580, at 780. The configurable parameters can beremotely adjusted. In some embodiments, any captured images can berecaptured with the adjusted configurable parameters. In someembodiments, the preview and reconfiguration process can be controlleduntil a satisfactory result is achieved. In some alternativeembodiments, each of the captured images can be previewed to guaranty asatisfactory result of the panorama image.

When at least a portion of the plurality images are captured withsatisfactory configurable parameters, the images can be transferred andstitched for a final result of the panorama image. In some embodiments,the images for the final result can be in native resolution to enhancequality of the panorama. The images for the final result can betransferred via the storage media or via any suitable communicationconnection, such as a wired or wireless connection. The images can bestitched via any manners shown and described herein.

Although shown and described as reconfiguring the configurableparameters of the imaging device 580 for purposes of illustration only,the preview results can be used as a ground for changing other settings,such as making a change to the imaging scheme and the like. In someembodiments, the preview results can be used for revising the imagingscheme. For example, the number of images can be increased or decreasedin a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction for purposes ofincreasing or decreasing overlapping areas in the horizontal directionand/or the vertical direction respectively.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to belimited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to thecontrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing method comprising: obtaininga plurality of images that are captured using a gimbaled imaging device;obtaining one or more imaging parameters of the gimbaled imaging device;and constructing a panorama image using an imaging scheme that isdevised based on the one or more imaging parameters.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein devising the imaging scheme comprises devising theimaging scheme based on a field-of-view (FOV) of the gimbaled imagingdevice.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein devising the imaging schemecomprises devising the imaging scheme based on at least one of ahorizontal angle of the FOV or a vertical angle of the FOV.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein obtaining the one or more imaging parametersof the gimbaled imaging device comprises collecting one or moreparameters of a mobile platform associated with the gimbaled imagingdevice.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein devising the imaging schemecomprises devising the imaging scheme based on a maximum yaw angle or amaximum pitch angle of the mobile platform.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the mobile platform is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or ahandheld device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein devising the imagingscheme comprises determining a number of images for constructing thepanorama image.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the numberof images comprises determining a number of image rows, each image rowbeing associated with a predetermined pitch angle.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein determining the number of images comprises determininga number of images in each of the image rows, each image beingassociated with a predetermined yaw angle.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein determining the number of images comprises deciding anoverlapping area between adjacent images.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein deciding the overlapping area comprises determining a number ofrows of images for securing a vertical overlapping area between twoimages that are adjacent in a longitude direction.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein determining the number of rows comprises securing thevertical overlapping area with an overlapping height not less than apredetermined ratio to a height of either of the two adjacent images.13. The method of claim 11, wherein deciding the overlapping areacomprises deciding a pitch angle for each of the rows of images based onmaximum pitch angles in at least one of an upward direction or adownward direction relative to a horizontal direction.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein deciding the pitch angle comprises: deciding rows inthe upward direction where the pitch angle is above the horizontaldirection; or deciding rows in the downward direction where the pitchangle is below the horizontal direction.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein deciding the overlapping area comprises deciding the number ofimages in each image row for securing a horizontal overlapping areabetween two adjacent images that are adjacent in a latitude direction.16. The method of claim 15, wherein deciding the number of imagescomprises securing the horizontal overlapping area with a width not lessthan a predetermined ratio to a width of either of the two adjacentimages.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising deciding a yawangle for each of the images in an image row based on a completehorizontal rotation and the number of images in each image row.
 18. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising selecting an anchor image for thepanorama image, comprising choosing the anchor image to be either a topimage or a bottom image of the panorama image.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to,individually or collectively: obtain a plurality of images that arecaptured using a gimbaled imaging device; obtain one or more imagingparameters of the gimbaled imaging device; and construct a panoramaimage using an imaging scheme that is devised based on said one or moreimaging parameters.
 20. A system comprising: one or more processors; anda non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to individually or collectively: obtain a plurality of imagesthat are captured using a gimbaled imaging device; obtain one or moreimaging parameters of the gimbaled imaging device; and construct apanorama image using an imaging scheme that is devised based on said oneor more imaging parameters.